The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1887-05-18
ALL ABOUT TIE BApTISTS.
MEMBERSHIP OF THE CHURCH IN
THE SOUTHERN STATES.

tlveS OF the immense -ueiioeiHAA-P "
portant Features of the Convention
Sightseeing and Business Meetings.
(Letter to the Augusta chronicle)
According to the latest returns, which
have been recently made up from otficaa
sources, there are in the fourteen South
e-n States and the Indian Territory
2,O50,9S5 Baptists. OF these l,Q69,l'l
are white, and are in accord with the
body known as the Southern Baptist
Convention. THIS is the body whose ses,
sions have been held in the beautiful
brown stone edifce Of the Broadway
Church. The building is OF ornate de-
sign and modern architecture, and ranks
with the churches of which Drs. Hemp,
hill and Willitts are pastors, as among
the finest and most costly religious edl,
fees of the South. Through three daily
sessions the spacious auditorium las
been filed with representatives from
every South of the Pennsylvania hne
and the Ohio river. From Georgia there
were ffty-f7e delegates, and Georgia
furnishes the president and secretary.
This makes the fifteenth session over
which DR.. Nell, Chancellor Of the Uni
Yersity, has presided, and the seventh at
which the secretary has served at the
long table.
The reports OF the two Boards of the
convention, which control the operations
respectively Of home and foreign mis-
sions demonstrate year OF great pros
perity. Indeed, I hear from all sides
gratulations from almost every body OF
Christians. The year has been one OF
large increase in numbers and greater
efficiency than for many years past.
There have been contributed, as report
ed 70 this convention, for foreign mis-
sions SS7, ,S30.53, and for home missions
1922, ,097.20. The foreign stations OF the
convention are established IN Br&zh,
Mexico, Italy, Africa and China. The
number of missionaries is ll6, and OF
churches and stations for preaching %.
There are 25 schools, with 5S7 pupils.
Among the many interesting features OF
this work abroad was the erection Ii the
dense population OF the city Of Shanghai
of chapel, entirely at the expense OF a
native Christian, and consequently at no
cost to the convention. The whole OF
China has been thrown open to Chris
tian missions by imperial edlct.
In the department. of home missions
there had been 25l missionaries sus-
tanned who had supplied puplts at o22
points in the South and the island OF
Cuba. This force of Christian workers
had gathered together l19 churches, and
had built 81 new houses OF worship at
a cost of over $4,000. The numbe: OF
persons added to the churches WAS
6.242. The most wonderful advance in
Christian missions, considering the time
and means expended, has been that IN
the neighboring island Of Cuba, and 1t
has been described as never having been
surpassed in the history Of modern nlls-
sions. In December, 1885. missionary,
named Diaz, was ordained at Key West,
and in the following month church
was constituted in Havana, which, at the
last report, after one years operation,
contains over three hundred members,
and two other churches have been estab-
ished. An attempt is to be made IN the
immediate future for the erection OF a
Baptist house OF worship IN Havana.
One of the most important works &C
compGshed by the Board has been that
of afording doctrinal and practical IN
struction to colored ministers and church
officers. A number of very learned and
able nen have been employed IN gather
ing these leaders of the negro population
together for the purpose Of instruction.
In this work Georgia, Alabama, Florida,
MARYLAND and Mississippi reap the bene.
fits. There are also twenty preachers OF
this race employed in the State of Texas.
About these times there leak out Ger
tain little instances of heroism and sscrl-
fee which could not be known, perhaps,
otherwise than through the dry details
of snnual reports. One Of these con
Germs the Citadel Square Church IN
Charleston. It so happened that Just
before the terrible earthquake, which
not only shattered their church, but
vhich also destroyed many OF their
homes, the process of collecting the reg
Mar contribution for missions was IN
progress. Although dismayed at the
vast proportions Of the calamity upon
them, this church finished their coliec-
ton for missions, while without sanct-
uary in which to meet, and while they
mad nothing but the green sward light
ened by the smile OF Gods sun where
thew could be gathered together. Some
might sneer at this enthusiasm and term
Il fanaticism, but to me it looks like
common old-fashioned honesty. Ihey
did not own the money that had beer
given for q specific purpose, and DC
right could possibly exist for dreitlne
it from the purpose FOR which i was
given. But it was grand, nevertheless
The speaking IN this convention is 81
ways of the highest order OF merit. i
takes q tremendous amount OF gall IL al
ordinary man to seek to address and IN
terest zoo men drawn from the best ant
most advanced and thoughtful men O:
fhe South. So that when arguments are
10 be MADE there is q general depend
ence apon the more able and eloquen
men. One Of the Northern visitors il
his address quoted the remark OF pris
oner who had been captured by Rome
and after his release and return to n!
nome. described his captors as ''Dgsicr
of Senator's. That might be LITTLE
oyerdrawn, but still It is serious thing
10 take the floor before such body. l
the csibre is small and the ammunition
..oo,. Eolla1,. can,n liSnGrGrS j